World Golf Tour

Casey grabs Memorial lead after second 66

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Once one of the top players in the world, Paul Casey has fallen off the golfing radar in recent years. He appears to have regained his form, though, and holds the top spot at the halfway point of the Memorial Tournament. Here's how things look after two rounds at Muirfield Village, where Casey leads by three shots:

What it means: Rory McIlroy began the day with a three-shot lead, but quickly fell back to the pack with a string of double bogeys. That left the door open for Casey, who carded a second straight 66 as he looks to win on the PGA Tour for the first time since 2009. A strong pack of contenders will look to chase him down over the weekend, including the reigning Masters champ.

Round of the day: Casey began on the back nine and picked up right where he left off Thursday, notching birdies on Nos. 11 and 13 before an eagle on the par-5 15th. The Englishman shot a 4-under 32 on the back nine and at one point reached 7 under on his round. Despite a closing bogey at No. 9, he went low for the second straight day.

Best of the rest: Scott Langley made a charge during the second round, following up an opening 72 with a 6-under 66. The former NCAA individual champ made it around Muirfield Village without a bogey and, after starting on the back nine, sparked his round with four birdies across a five-hole stretch on Nos. 3-7. At 6 under, he'll start the third round in a tie for sixth, six behind Casey.

Biggest disappointment: McIlroy appeared in control after an opening 63, but the wheels came off entirely as he shot a 6-over 78. The Ulsterman had a nearly inexplicable stretch of three straight double bogeys on holes 13-15 - carding a double on the 14th hole for the second straight day and double-hitting a chip on the 15th. After starting the day with a three-shot lead, he now trails Casey by nine.

Main storyline heading into Saturday: Casey was ranked as high as No. 3 in the world in 2009, but began this week at No. 97. He knows what it takes to win, but to do so he'll probably have to hold off Watson, who is in search of his third win of the season and is arguably playing the best golf of his career despite a bogey-bogey finish to his second round.

Quote of the day: "I’ve not had good control of the golf ball for 36 holes like that in quite a while. It feels good." - Casey